Make-A-Wish sending local teen to WrestleMania

Eddie Fitzgerald, Sun Journal Staff

Wednesday

Apr 3, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 3, 2013 at 4:55 PM

VANCEBORO — Justin Coombs will realize a dream Sunday as he sits ringside at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., watching his favorite wrestler, John Cena, vs. The Rock in “the rematch of rematches” at the WWE WrestleMania 29.

VANCEBORO — Justin Coombs will realize a dream Sunday as he sits ringside at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., watching his favorite wrestler, John Cena, vs. The Rock in “the rematch of rematches” at the WWE WrestleMania 29.

Coombs, 13, of Vanceboro is one of 38 children with life-threatening medical conditions from around the world granted a wish to attend WrestleMania 29 through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Coombs was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which occurs when parts of the left side of the heart (mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve and aorta) do not develop completely. The condition is congenital.

Wendy Coombs, Justin’s mother, said he has already had three open-heart surgeries and will probably need a heart transplant between the ages of 15 and 20.

She sent an application to Make-A-Wish in December detailing her son’s condition and found out in January the wish would be coming true, she said.

“He was excited because he didn’t know I had done anything until the first letter came in the mail,” she said. “He’s a big wrestling fan.”

Coombs, a West Craven Middle School student, said Cena was his favorite wrestler and he couldn’t wait to watch him in the ring.

“I thought it was something I would never be able to do and I’m glad I get to go,” he said. “I’m very excited. Wrestling is my favorite sport. It’s entertaining.”

Justin’s little brother, Cody, also will get to go along with his mother and father Jimmy.

The Coombs family was scheduled to leave for New Jersey Thursday and return Monday. While they are there, they also will visit Funplex, a 10,000-square-foot indoor amusement park.

“He is excited about that also,” Coombs’ mother said. “He has been counting down the days. We are very glad and think he deserves this more than anything in the world. He is a very strong and determined child. Although he has problems, he puts others first.”

Coombs and the other children will have exclusive opportunities to meet the WWE superstars and divas including a private autograph session on Friday; they will be inducted into the Circle of Champions at a luncheon with a surprise WWE superstar at the Liberty Science Center on Saturday; and they will attend the biggest fan event of the year, Fan Axxess, on Sunday.

WWE has been a supporter of Make-A-Wish for more than 30 years.

Kristen Johnson, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina Chapter, said Make-A-Wish is fortunate to have WWE as a supporter who believes so strongly in the organization’s mission.

“All of the wishes we grant for courageous children with life-threatening medical conditions provide wish kids and their families a break from treatment and give them a chance to return from their wish energized and inspired,” Johnson said in a statement. “It can be a life-changing experience.”

Jerry Peters, director of community engagement at Make-A-Wish Eastern N.C. Chapter, said the chapter has been in existence since 1986 and serves 49 counties.

“Most people think of us as a last wish or like a hospice,” Peters said. “But that is not the case. Make-A-Wish is for someone with a life-threatening medical condition.”

In the past year, the chapter has granted nearly 200 wishes to children and their families. Since the chapter was founded, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 2,600 wishes in Eastern North Carolina, Peters said.

The average wish from a child costs about $7,000 because more than 83 percent of the wishes involve travel not just for the child but for the immediate family, Peters said.

“The rising cost of traveling is always a challenge,” he said.

Since 2009, 12 children from Craven County have received wishes from Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina.

Four more wishes, including Justin’s, are scheduled for the remaining of 2013.

Of the 12 that have been granted since 2009, six have been shopping related and four have been trips to Walt Disney World (one of the most popular wishes), Peters said.

Thirty years ago, Make-A-Wish was created after a 7-year-old boy in Arizona who suffered from a life-threatening medical condition wished he could be a police officer for a day. Donations were raised, and his wish came true, Peters said.

“That started it all,” he said.

Make-A-Wish is using this month to remember that first wish and make people aware of the need for donations that include airline miles that can help offset travel costs, Peters said.

Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at eddie.fitzgerald@newbernsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.

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